Cesar Chavez Facts – A Glimpse of his Timeline

Cesar Chavez was born way back on the 31st of March, 1927. His hometown was located in Yuma, Arizona. He came from a Mexican-American family who was considered poor at that time. They had to manage a grocery store, farm, pool hall and garage in order to make a living. It was in the year 1938 though when his family was suddenly evicted from the land they were inhibiting. As this occurred, they lost their livelihood. This transpired during that of the Great Depression. This was the time when they turned out to be a migrant farm workers. They worked in California and Arizona. These were some of the basic Cesar Chavez facts.

There was a point in the life of Chavez in 1942 when he had to quit grammar school. He had to do this not because he could not fathom anything from the class but because he had to work in a full-time basis in the fields assigned to his family. After four years though, this was in the year 1946, Chavez immediately enlisted in the Navy. He had to serve there for almost two years and this was directed towards the Pacific.

Chavez decided to get married in 1948 with Helen Favela. For most of the years they were together, they were really happy and they were blessed with eight children. This was the time when Chavez started working as the ranch hand. He was also situated in a lumber yard during these days which was found in San Jose, Calif.

Another endeavor was taken by Chanvez in 1952. He joined the CSO or the Community Service Organization during the said time. This was again located in San Jose, Calif. He turned out to be an organizer for the Mexican American community. He spearheaded the drive for voter registration. The same was also true for fighting economic and racial discrimination. In 1958, Chavez was assigned executive director of CSO. He then moved to the headquarter of CSO which was located in Los Angeles.

In 1962, Chavez stumbled upon the National Farm Workers Association or the NFWA. This was still in Delano, Calif. This was with a labor leader named Dolores Huerta. Basically, the mentioned organization was meant to hold the rights of the migrant workers high. This included the minimum wage, collective bargaining and insurance. All of these were checked and studied by Chavez of course.

The NFWA was composed of Mexican Americans. In 1965, the AWOC or the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee was made part of the NFWA. This was also partaken by Filipino Americans who then started to have a strike against that of the grape growers in the Delano. This took off the five-year grape strike in the said place. As this occurred, a lot of attention was given. This was the instance when Chavez advocated boycotts, picketing, strikes and even marches. The same was also true for non-violent means of achieving the aims of the union. This was anchored with the philosophy of the Gandhian.